Treasure Hunt is a 1952 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Martita Hunt, Jimmy Edwards, Naunton Wayne and Athene Seyler. It is based on the 1949 play Treasure Hunt by Molly Keane (writing as M.J. Farrell) and John Perry.
It was shot at Teddington Studios in London, which had been for many years the base of the British subsidiary of Warner Brothers. It was the last film to be shot there, before it was later taken over as a television production facility. The film's sets were designed by the art director John Howell.
Plot
On his death, the eccentric family of rakish Sir Roderick Lyall (Jimmy Edwards) gathers at his ancestral Irish mansion, Ballyroden Hall, for the reading of the will. Everyone is shocked to hear that, once debts are paid, the only asset remaining will be the mansion. The family doctor, Mr. Walsh (Miles Malleson), suggests the mansion be turned into a guest house to bring in funds. Half the family supports the idea, but Uncle Hercules (Jimmy Edwards) and Consuelo (Athene Seyler) endeavour to sabotage the scheme. All the while, Aunt Anna Rose (Martita Hunt) insists she has mislaid a fortune in jewels – but her story is doubted due to her eccentric personality. When the first paying guests, Eustace Mills (Naunton Wayne), Mrs. Cleghorn-Thomas (June Clyde) and daughter Yvonne (Mara Lane), arrive for their holiday, expecting peace and quiet, they find themselves caught up in a series of farcical situations caused by their hosts.
Cast
Martita Hunt as Aunt Anna Rose
Jimmy Edwards as Hercules Ryall / Sir Roderick Ryall
Naunton Wayne as Eustace Mills
Athene Seyler as Consuelo Howard
June Clyde as Mrs. Cleghorn-Thomas
Miles Malleson as Mr Walsh
Susan Stephen as Mary O'Leary
Brian Worth as Philip
Mara Lane as Yvonne
Maire O'Neill as Brigid
Toke Townley as William Burke
Bee Duffell as Mrs. Guidera
Joseph Tomelty as Poacher
John McDarby as Taxi Driver
Tony Quinn as Dan Brady
Wilfred Caithness as Doctor
Hamlyn Benson as Butler
Irene Handl as Nanny
Shelagh Carty as 2nd Nanny
Kendrick Owen as Stable Boy
Marguerite Brennan as Pert Little Maid
Diana Campbell as 2nd Maid
John Kelly as Bookmaker
Kenneth Kove as Clergyman
Patrick O'Connor as Telegraph Boy
James Page as Racing Enthusiast
Roger Maxwell as Military-Looking Man
Nella Occleppo as Schoolgirl
Michael Ripper as Removal Man
Fred Johnson as 2nd Removal Man
Alfie Bass as Tipster
Critical reception
TV Guide called it "A tedious comedy"; Britmovie called it a "Minor farce"; while Sky Movies wrote, "Producer Anatole de Grunwald adapted the stage play by M J Farrell and John Perry in an enjoyably straightforward way. Director John Paddy Cartairs handles the film with appropriate vitality, making the most of the basically conventional stage Irish characters. Martita Hunt and Athene Seyler stand out in a large cast, among whom are such familiar faces as Miles Malleson, Alfie Bass and Hammer Films regular Michael Ripper."